But an outsider would have to spend some time here to see all those things. If they think LW is accurately described by the c-word even after getting acquainted with the site, there might be no point in trying to change their minds. It's better to focus on people who are discouraged by first impressions.

I recently read an article about Keith Raniere, the founder of a cult called NXIVM (pronounced "nexium"):

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Secrets-of-NXIVM-2880885.php

Raniere reminds me of Yudkowsky, especially after reading cult expert Rick Ross's assessment of Raniere:

Rick Ross has been a cult tracker for more than 25 years. He has examined and spoken about NXIVM so extensively it spawned an ongoing federal lawsuit from Raniere for publicizing portions of NXIVM's training program. That legal battle with NXIVM, where he is countersuing, is entering its ninth year. Ross has been qualified and accepted as an expert witness regarding cults and cultlike groups in the courts of 10 states and has been used by the federal government as a consultant. He has spent 50 to 100 hours talking with NXIVM members, he said, and additional time talking with ex-members, which is why he said he's confident in his view that Raniere is a cult leader. Ross has been retained by three former NXIVM members to help in deprogramming, and he has counseled several others, including one he said was sent into a psychotic episode from her NXIVM experience. "In my opinion, NXIVM is one of the most extreme groups I have ever dealt with in the sense of how tightly wound it is around the leader, Keith Raniere," Ross said in an interview. Ross was asked to provide insight on David Koresh to the federal government during the height of the Waco situation and says Raniere shows characteristics similar to Koresh. Like the infamous leader of the Branch Davidians, Ross said, Raniere thinks he knows a way to reorder human existence, believes he is on the cutting edge of the new wave of the future, has followers who see him as a savior and uses his position of power to gain sexual favors from women.